FAU | Kansas State 6’3” 255 lbs. | 01/24/2002 (21)
Felix Anudike-Uzomah was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the seventh Edge Rusher and the 31st overall player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Felix Anudike-Uzomah played in five games as a reserve (three tackles and one sack) his true freshman season, after coming out of Kansas City, Missouri as a first-team all-state selection in high school. His second season, in 2021, was a huge breakout season, as he shared the Big 12 Conference Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year award with #15 overall pick, Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV. That season Anudike-Uzomah earned first-team all-conference honors after recording 51 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 11 sacks, and leading the nation with six forced fumbles over his 12 games. During one game, Anudike-Uzomah appeared to tie an NCAA record with six sacks against TCU, but the NCAA ruled that the fumbles he forced on two of those would-be sacks went past the line of scrimmage, rendering those plays rushing plays instead of passing plays.
Anudike-Uzomah dominated the Big 12 again in 2022, earning third-team Associated Press All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. As a junior, he again led Kansas State with 11 TFLs and 8.5 sacks among 46 total tackles in 14 games.
FILM
Anudike-Uzomah plays with urgency and relentlessness and shows good strength for his size on film. He is still developing as a run defender, but he is willing and possesses the frame to allow for added mass and strength. His pass-rushing acumen is far more advanced than his rush defense. He has a variety of moves and approaches, and he effectively uses his long arms flexibility, all of which help him win as a rusher. Anudike-Uzomah’s high energy, suddenness, and intensity lead to big-play opportunities, but he will need to play more under control at the next level to avoid getting taken advantage of with counter plays. Still, his pass-rushing abilities alone should allow him to see the field early and compete for reps on passing downs.
ATHLETIC TESTING
Felix Anudike-Uzomah did not participate in NFL Scouting Combine tests or drills as he was recovering from a right foot injury, as well as a broken hand he suffered on the last play of the Sugar Bowl.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Great
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Great
Anudike-Uzomah was selected with the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
FAU ends up in a pretty nice spot in Kansas City, as they will be playing with a lead the majority of the time and be looking to rush the passer, which is Anudike-Uzomah’s specialty. The fit is a good one for the franchise, as well, as the Chiefs should get what they hoped they thought they were getting after trading for (and signing to an outrageous contract) Dee Ford several years ago. He benefits from having a stable group of vets in the defensive line room, in young established book end rusher George Karlaftis, as well as 2022 DPOY finalist Chris Jones. Charles Omenihu is a capable veteran who can handle the early down dirty work, which will allow FAU to enter the league as a pass rush specialist while he develops and improves to become an every-down defender. For IDP fantasy purposes, FAU will be a boom or bust play this season, as he may be a sub-50% snap rate in the early half of the season, though he is talented and technical enough already to rack up some sacks against NFL offensive tackles.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah is your author’s rookie DE6 of this talented EDGE class, but dynasty owners must recognize he will probably not be ready to play full time right away, and should be utilized as a pass rush special for the majority of this season. He should become a reliable scorer in most IDP formats by 2024 and if he reaches his full potential can be viewed as a borderline DE1 in 2025 and beyond. Expect to see him drafted in the mid-to-late third round of dynasty rookie drafts.
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